More Than 300 Community Residents Respond To Blood Need For Cranford Student

CRANFORD — NJ Blood Services (NJBS), a division of the New York Blood Center, recently made a special appeal for blood for Emma Rothman, a sixth grade Orange Avenue School student undergoing a heart transplant. More than 300 Cranford residents responded, with 104 pints of blood being donated.

The blood drive was organized and publicized by Girl Scout Troop 40668 under the direction of Troop Leader Lisa Durant of Cranford who worked with the Orange Avenue School staff and many local organizations to ensure the success of the event. The Girl Scouts made purple tee shirts with double hearts that read “For Emma,” which they wore while volunteering at the drive, assisting donors and serving home baked cakes and cookies in canteen.

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“In a matter of only a few days, the Girls Scouts and Orange Avenue School students had the word out in the community that Emma Rothman needed blood,” said NJBS Director of Recruitment Marie Forrestal. “And as always, there was an overwhelming response from the Cranford community.

She said that the Rothman family reports that Emma has responded very well to the heart transplant which she received at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York. NJBS has scheduled other blood drives in her name on April 22 at Calvary Tabernacle, May 2 at Orange Avenue School and May 19 at Cranford High School.

“Anyone who is eligible to donate in Emma’s name can do so at any of these drives,” she said, noting that whole blood donations can be made every 56 days. Eligible donors should be 16 years of age with a signed parental consent form, present proper identification and be generally in good health.

Persons with questions of eligibility can call 1-800-933-BLOOD or visit www.nybloodcenter.org for drive times and to make an appointment.

Cranford Girl Scout Rebecca Durant, left, with her mother and troop leader Lisa Durant who is donating blood, center, and Keri Rothman, right, sister of heart transplant recipient Emma Rothman at the special needs drive in her name at Orange Avenue School in Cranford. (Photo courtesy of NJ Blood Services)